Bret Bielema
- Bielema opened by discussing the film review and digesting it. He noted positives, though he said the negatives way outweighed any positives. Regarding statistics from the game, the things that jumped out were yardage, penalties and time of possession. Regarding penalties, he said that's a textbook example of how someone loses football games. He also pointed to going 1 of 5 in the red zone. And then he pointed to the third-and-long plays on defense.
- Keon Hatcher is having surgery later this afternoon and will be out a minimum of six weeks. Hatcher has a redshirt year, so there are some options. All the other players who went down on the field Saturday are okay.. Hawkins should be able to go by Saturday, though he may not work in the middle of the week. Denver Kirkland should be ready by Wednesday or Thursday if not by Tuesday. Kody Walker will be able to play with his thumb injury, but they're not sure how much he'll have to be 'casted up.'
- The coaches sat down and said 'who are our best two receivers,' and they felt by far Drew Morgan and Jared Cornelius are their two best. They said no more 'how are we going to get them in,' and they're going to stat JoJo Robinson at the slot. He said Robinson really accepted that well today. Kendrick Edwards will also get a shot to play. There was not a lot of mention of Dominique Reed, though he'll be working at Z. Bielema said the only person who will stop him from playing is Dominique. Bielema said he didn't even show up for meetings on Friday, which is disturbing to Bielema. He wasn't late, he didn't even show.
- Bielema said Ragnow didn't have a great game on Saturday but has been their best option at right guard. The best five players are on the field, Bielema said. Toledo did a lot of movement, and they weren't able to solidify the perimeter. Holding penalties also hurt.
- Bielema said he knew they were throwing the ball, but he said they simply weren't able to run the ball when they needed to do it.
- Bielema said for them, they had not seen enough of the twisting and movement that both UTEP and Toledo did in the first two games.
- Bielema said as much as that game hurt his soul, he almost feels like it's something they had to go through. He said all they can do is control their reaction and get ready for Texas Tech.
- Josh Williams got kicked in the shin. Very painful, but he should be fine.
- Bielema said the good thing about the penalties is they were all one type of penalty - holding. He said that's a choice made by the players. With as many holding calls as they received the last two games, Bielema worries they may be labeled as a holding team, and they have to wipe that out.
- They said Jeremy Sprinkle is more athletic than any fullback they've had, but he doesn't have the same pop. He said they need another week getting Kendrick Jackson ready.
- Regarding the level of intensity and focus from the players during the week, Bielema said it was right on. He said he had a concern in the back of his mind going into the game because the worst game they played last year was the Georgia game. He said they want to have success in Little Rock, and the crowd "going into he stadium was awesome."
- Bielema also said Phillip Ely was getting the ball away really quickly, and the video showed he got the ball out pretty much every time within 2.5 seconds.
- Bijhon Jackson was taken out of practice Tuesday when he landed on his shoulder wrong. It's nothing long term, but it limited him last week.
- Bielema said Henre' Toliver got beat early on, but he needs to play as much as they can play him. He came on later. Jared Collins dislocated his thumb and played five or six snaps after he did that. Bielema said D.J. Dean has been really locked in. Collins could have to wear a cast four-to-six weeks but will play.
- Bielema said the good thing about the penalties is they were all one type of penalty - holding. He said that's a choice made by the players. With as many holding calls as they received the last two games, Bielema worries they may be labeled as a holding team, and they have to wipe that out.
- They said Jeremy Sprinkle is more athletic than any fullback they've had, but he doesn't have the same pop. He said they need ant
- Regarding the level of intensity and focus from the players during the week, Bielema said it was right on. He said he had a concern in the back of his mind going into the game because the worst game they played last year was the Georgia game. He said they want to have success in Little Rock, and the crowd "going into he stadium was awesome."
- Bielema also said Phillip Ely was getting the ball away really quickly, and the video showed he got the ball out pretty much every time within 2.5 seconds.
- Bijhon Jackson was taken out of practice Tuesday when he landed on his shoulder wrong. It's nothing long term, but it limited him last week.
- Bielema said Henre' Toliver got beat early on, but he needs to play as much as they can play him. He came on later. Jared Collins dislocated his thumb and played five or six snaps after he did that. Bielema said D.J. Dean has been really locked in. Collins could have to wear a cast four-to-six weeks but will play.
- Bielema said he's probably going to let Barry Lunney Jr. discuss the 1995 season when they lost early to SMU and ended up winning the Western Division.
